Whom the Orlando Magic Should Target in the 2015 NBA Draft

Slowly but surely, the Orlando Magic are putting together the core of a contender.

While they finished at the bottom of the Southeast Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference, the franchise has plenty of reason for optimism moving forward.

Rising stars Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo give the squad cornerstones in the frontcourt and backcourt, and general manager Rob Hennigan has placed some electrifying role players around them.

In addition to Tobias Harris' standout production at combo forward, Orlando drafted a crafty playmaker in Elfrid Payton and an explosive forward in Aaron Gordon. The franchise only needs a couple more pieces in the rotation and, most importantly, experience working with its new skipper, Scott Skiles.

The Magic's No. 5 overall pick could be an asset that finally pushes them toward the playoff picture.

As Yannis Koutroupis of Basketball Insiders notes, the defensive-minded coach may take a hard look at the draft's top stoppers:

This is still an offensive league, however, so the scoring exploits of some top foreign stars might be too much to pass up at No. 5. Let's dissect the Magic's best options in this year's lottery.

Target No. 1: Versatile Two-Way Wing (Justise Winslow or Stanley Johnson)

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

The Magic have clear-cut guards and clear-cut forwards, but they don't have swingmen who are versatile enough to accomplish the tasks of both. Oladipo is a 2-man, Evan Fournier isn't athletic enough to compete with many forwards, and Orlando's 3s and 4s don't have guard-like adroitness.

Two wings who could immediately pack a punch in the rotation are Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson.

Depending on how the first four picks shake out, Winslow might be the best player available at No. 5. Duke's multidimensional freshman escaped from Jahlil Okafor's shadow during the NCAA tournament, showcasing his all-purpose tools on both ends of the floor.

His expansive frame, quickness and budding creativity enable him to slash past defenders. Despite his raw skill set, he has a great nose for the rim and the awareness to also find open teammates. He'll help Orlando space the floor with his quick, fluid jump shot that allowed him to go 8-of-14 from three during the Big Dance.

Winslow fits into the Magic's quest to add the rangiest, stingiest defensive assets to the roster. His quickness and tenacity can corral guards, and his length and strength can challenge most forwards.

If Winslow is not obtainable and other enticing non-wings (such as Kristaps Porzingis and Willie Cauley-Stein) are off the board, Orlando should pursue Johnson.

Like Winslow, Johnson is an ultra-versatile commodity who can defend at least three positions and attack offensively from all over the floor. He's chiseled out of granite like a football player, and he has a rapidly expanding array of scoring and facilitating skills.

Johnson wouldn't be a bad consolation prize at all. He has the brains and brawn to hang with NBA players, and his shooting finesse is coming along nicely.

Target No. 2: Kristaps Porzingis

Latvian enigma Kristaps Porzingis doesn't exactly scream "defensive star" like some of Skiles' targets, but he's one of the premier talents in the mid-lottery range. And more importantly, he fills the Magic's need for a long-term stretch 4.

At 7'1" with a silky-smooth shooting delivery, the Spanish League prodigy projects to thrive in pick-and-pop situations. He also shows the growing capacity to attack closeouts, hit pull-up jumpers and score via turnarounds in the post.

Porzingis' arrival would ease the pain of Tobias Harris' potential free-agency departure. His ability to step out and shoot over foes would brilliantly complement Vucevic's low-post work, as CBSSports.com's Zach Harper explains:

"If Aaron Gordon is the small forward of the future in Orlando, that means the only real position they have to fill out with their young core is power forward. Kristaps Porzingis could be a monster next to Nikola Vucevic..."

And as for his defense, it's certainly promising enough to keep Skiles interested. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express explained how the youngster can wall off the rim with his size and navigate the pick-and-roll with his mobility:

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His combination of size, length and mobility gives him impressive versatility on the pick and roll, allowing him to hedge out past the 3-point line and still recover in time to make a play in the paint for example. He's also agile enough to switch and stay in front of smaller players if called upon, giving his team the type of positional flexibility every coaching staff in the NBA covets greatly these days.

"

If you're a mid-lotto team and you're not at least considering Porzingis, you're doing something wrong.

Target No. 3: Willie Cauley-Stein

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Nikola Vucevic is a talented anchor to build around, but he needs help defensively.

Thanks in large part to his lackluster shot-contesting skills, the Magic ranked 25th in opponent field-goal percentage at the rim and 29th in blocks per game during 2014-15, per NBA.com.

That's where Willie Cauley-Stein comes into the picture. Kentucky's 7'0" pogo stick can positively influence the defense no matter where he is on the floor.

He defends the low post, guards the pick-and-roll, helps from the weak side and bothers guards in unsettled situations. There is no one in the draft who covers the floor both vertically and horizontally like he does.

USA Today's Derek Bodner explains how the NBA's increasing tendency toward pick-and-rolls makes Cauley-Stein more valuable than ever:

"...Acquiring players who could play the pick-and-roll has become a major focus for NBA front offices. It's only natural, then, that defending the pick-and-roll has incredible value as well, and there is perhaps no big man in this draft more equipped to defend pick-and-rolls than Cauley-Stein."

In addition to his defensive interchangeability, the Wildcat star can also crash the glass, finish pick-and-roll lobs and get loose in transition. His NBA comparison is Tyson Chandler, but there's a chance he'll be a better scorer.

In many scenarios, the Magic could play Cauley-Stein at the 5 and move the offensively gifted Vucevic to the 4. On both ends of the court, they would compensate for each other's shortcomings and give Orlando an enticing blend of size and skill.